A Legacy of Advocacy, Leadership, and Innovation

The Charter Schools Hall of Fame, established by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools in 2007, honors individuals, schools, and organizations that have played a transformative role in advancing the charter school movement. From pioneering lawmakers to dedicated educators, visionary philanthropists to tireless activists, the Hall of Fame inductees represent a diverse group of leaders who have shaped the landscape of public education in the United States.

Elected officials and policymakers have been crucial in the growth and protection of charter schools. Among them, former U.S. Secretaries of Education Rod Paige (2016 Charter Schools Hall of Fame Inductee) and John B. King Jr. (2010) have had a profound impact. Rod Paige served as U.S. Secretary of Education from 2001 to 2005, advocating for higher standards and accountability in public education while promoting school choice, including charter schools. Before his tenure in Washington, he was a strong supporter of charter growth in Houston, Texas, where he played a pivotal role in expanding KIPP’s first charter school. John B. King Jr., who led the Department of Education in the final year of the Obama administration, has a deep-rooted commitment to charter schools, having co-founded Roxbury Preparatory Charter School in Boston and led Uncommon Schools, a network of high-performing charter schools. His advocacy for educational equity continues to influence policy today.

The charter school movement would not exist without its pioneers—educators and policymakers who dared to challenge the status quo. Ted Kolderie (2007), Ember Reichgott Junge (2008), and Joe Nathan (2019) were instrumental in creating the first charter school law in Minnesota in 1991, setting the foundation for what would become a nationwide movement. Kolderie and Nathan, both pioneers in school choice, were instrumental in shaping the first charter school legislation in Minnesota and have spent decades advocating for stronger policies to ensure accountability and quality in the charter movement. Reichgott Junge, a Minnesota state senator, was the legislative force behind the law, ensuring its passage against strong opposition.

Schools themselves have also been recognized for their contributions to the charter movement.City Academy High School (2012) in St. Paul, Minnesota, founded in 1992, was the first charter school in the nation. Created by educators Milo Cutter, Barron Chapman, and Terry Kraabel, it provided an innovative model for dropout recovery and alternative education. KIPP Schools (2009), founded by Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin in 1994, have become one of the most influential charter school networks in the country. With a focus on college preparedness, KIPP has expanded nationwide, serving thousands of students and demonstrating the potential of high-quality charter schools.

No movement can succeed without financial support, and several philanthropic organizations and individuals have been instrumental in scaling the charter school sector. The Walton Family Foundation (2013), the largest private funder of charter schools, has provided over $1 billion to expand school choice, particularly in low-income communities. The Doris and Donald Fisher Fund (2014), founded by the creators of Gap Inc., played a crucial role in the expansion of the KIPP charter network, ensuring that more students have access to quality education. Fernando Zulueta (2019), the founder of Academica, has built one of the largest charter school management organizations in the country, bringing innovative education models to thousands of students.

Each inductee into the Charter Schools Hall of Fame has made a lasting impact on the educational landscape. Whether through policy, advocacy, research, school leadership, philanthropy, or the direct operation of schools, they have collectively driven the growth and success of public charter schools in the United States. Their efforts have helped provide millions of students—particularly those in underserved communities—with access to high-quality education options, reinforcing the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. As the charter school movement continues to evolve, the contributions of these inductees serve as a guiding light for future leaders, ensuring that innovation, choice, and excellence remain at the heart of public education.